Follow

Monday, April 25, 2011

Aged White

For the last year I've wanted to make some quilts based on the color pallet of the local old barns. I just couldn't find the right fabric to accurately represent the colors I see. Some areas are painted different from other areas. Paint peels away in this section, but not as much in that. And many areas are stained by organic matter or altered by the grain of the wood showing through.

A true solid wouldn't fit the bill, and mono-colored fabrics with a mottled look just weren't right either. Finally I found the perfect fabric at my local fabric shop, which turned out to be Moda's Grunge series. I'd seen it on some of the on-line shops, but it wasn't until I saw it in person that I knew it was what I had been searching for.

These fabrics, which at first read as a solid, actually have bits of color though out, similar to streaks of paint in some areas or peeling/faded paint in others.

Can you see bits of spotted areas in the finished quilt above? I know it's hard, as the neutrals are truly neutral, with very subtle bits of grey and cream added to the white, and subtle bits of grey and white added to the cream.... but they are there!

For this first attempt at using old barn colors as inspiration, I decided to also let the vertical and horizontal lines of the old barn siding also be a source of inspiration.

Currently I'm working on another piece inspired by some colors found in old red barns. I'll show that next post. Till then have a great week! xo

What a perfect representation. I love Grunge. I have a little stack with a project in progress. I love it's weathered look. Your piece is so striking against the cool blue wall and you always manage to capture the little details.

I have been going through some blogs on Google Reader this morning, and thinking how everything is beginning to look the same - eco dyeing, scraps, uneven hand stitching unfinished edges, jelly roll quilts, etc etc as folk do classes and do their version of something taught. Then I came here - to these simple and very beautiful pieces - Different, Unique ....fresh, light and lovely. What a breath of fresh air. Love them.

Oh my, I think this is my favorite piece of yours yet!! I'm always on the search for just the right somewhat opaque textured white. I will certainly check this one out ... Now I have to go see if this is for sale!

Oh my..... oh my, oh my. That is really wonderful.... I keep scrolling back up to look, I may have to print off a pic for inspiration. I am working on a similar color piece but in circles.... I am in the handstitching phase now. Your piece will lead me on, I think!

Boro Bobble Pattern

Quilting Arts

Find my "Stained and Scorched" article for how to "dye" fabric with lemon juice and a hot iron in the June/July 2014 issue of Quilting Arts Magazine!

Sew Somerset

Find my article for making cute embroidered houses in the Summer 2014 issue of Sew Somerset

Art Quilting Studio

Look for my article on tips for working in a series in the Winter 2014 issue of Art Quilting Studio.

Followers

Molasses BooDill 1996 - 2009

The Original Silly BooDilly

Hey, Quilter's!

'Visit Lancaster Pa.net' Great resource if you are coming to Lancaster, PA!

Note:

I enjoy sharing my inspiration and creative process, however please do not copy my work. Instead, use the information provided as an inspirational stepping stone to your own creativity. Dig deep inside of yourself, find out what inspires you and ask "why?". Then bring something new to the table... your own visions and interpretations. Share what you have learned with others, and add your own unique stepping stone to this creative path that we share.

Pojagi Seam Tutorial

Learn my method for machine stitching two different types of seams to create your own pojagi patchwork!

Please Note: If you wish to share images of my work with others on your blog, (or other internet sharing network that you belong to) you may do so provided that full credit is given to me and a link back to my blog is provided.

You may also share my free tutorials that I have posted on this blog, including the right to print out and distribute, provided that full credit is given to me and a link back to my blog is provided. (If you have any questions feel free to email me. See my profile page for contact information.)

Under no circumstances is my Work, including my artwork and other creations, my 'how-to' tutorials, and other shared information and images pertaining to my Work, to be copied, distributed or shared in any manner what-so-ever for any commercial use. Any use of information provided, or otherwise gleaned from this blog not to be sold or represented as another's original concept, technique, work or intellectual property. Please respect this.